Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Wanted for Murder: Fernando Owens

NOVEMBER 24, 2015

ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR DORCHESTER MAN WANTED IN MURDER OF
BRIDGEWATER BURN VICTIMNew charges against New Hampshire couple for their role in homicide
BROCKTON – An arrest warrant has been issued for a Dorchester man and new charges
have been filed against a New Hampshire couple, all believed to be involved with the murder
and disposal of a victim found dead and burned in Bridgewater, Plymouth County District
Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced today.
State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s Office today obtained an arrest warrant
for Fernando Owens (DOB: 9/4/72) of Dorchester. Owens is wanted for the November 3rd
murder of 29-year-old Ashley Bortner of New Jersey.
Also today, arrest warrants were issued against a Manchester, N.H. married couple,
charging them with Accessory After the Fact of Murder. Julian Squires (DOB: 12/08/74) and
Shannon Squires (DOB: 07/04/76) were arraigned yesterday on charges they mislead
investigators. Today, those charges were upgraded for their roles in Bortner’s death.

Fernando Owens

Bridgewater Police received a 911 call at approximately 11:40 pm November 3rd and
responded to a fire burning on the west side of the MBTA train tracks and determined it was a
human body burning. The victim was later identified as Bortner. Her body was burned over 70%,
she had been gagged by her own clothing and her face was wrapped with a towel and she was
found in a comforter. Bortner’s hands and feet were bound behind her and electrical cord was
around her neck.
State Police investigators have determined that Owens was acquainted with the victim in
this case and that he believed Bortner had a hand in the recent death of Fernando’s son, Domenic
Owens. Police seized items from Fernando Owens’ home at 65 Lonsdale Street in Dorchester
that link him to the murder, including the same sort of Egyptian cotton bath towel and identical
electrical cord found on the victim.
Cell phone records from the Squires put the couple in Bridgewater around the time of the
911 call to Bridgewater Police on November 3rd. Additionally, the Squires own a vehicle similar

to the dark SUV described by the 911 caller. The couple are currently still being held on bail in
the misleading police charge.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Fernando Owens is encouraged to
contact State Police at 508-947-8087, MBTA Transit Police at 617-222-1050 or Bridgewater Police at 508-697-6118.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation by State Police assigned to the District
Attorney’s Office and Bridgewater Police. MBTA Police and Boston Police assisted with the
investigation. Assistant District Attorneys Jessica Elumba and Brian Fahy are prosecuting the
case.
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